Portland Bill was another wonderful children's adventure very much in
the style of Postman Pat, Gran, The Herbs, and The Clangers. It concerned the
day to day life of Portland Bill (Head lighthouse man of the Lighthouse
Guillemot Rock). He is helped by the other lighthouse men Ross and Cromarty.
The nearest village to the lighthouse was on the mainland and it was called
McGuillycuddy. Here the boys are able to pick up supplies and interact with a
whole load of characters. The adventures were by John Grace and were
produced in 1983. I think they were shown midst 12:00-12:30 p.m. slot for
kiddies before the afternoon news. Some people remember Portland Bill being
shown alongside Cockleshell Bay at Friday lunchtimes on Granada Television. If
anyone has any more information or corrections etc.. then please email me at
the address at the bottom of the page. I would love to have more information on
John Grace or Norman Rossington or indeed any of the other people
involved in the making of this superb little adventure series.

"Oh come with me,

to the golden sea while the weathers calm and still,

and we'll have some fun and laughter,

with the adventures of Portland Bill"

This is my lighthouse - on Guillemot Rock

The real Portland Bill Lighthouse

Character Guide

Portland Bill - Light house keeper in charge of Guillemot Rock
and responsible for the day to day running of said light house. He plays the
Bagpipes loudly and is often seen rowing his boat called The Puffin whilst out
checking the lobster pots. He is an experienced lighthouse keeper whose
favourite expression is "By King Neptune."

Ross - Ross is the youngest member of the lighthouse crew. He
is sometimes a little absent minded but is honest and a good friend of Bills.
He loves idling the time away fishing. He can play the drums.

Cromarty - Cromarty is older than Ross and second in command
and is a very good friend of both Bill and Ross. He always tries to do things
quick and easy and often causes more trouble by trying to invent things (see
below images). He likes the 60-70s and has clothes from that era. He plays the
electric guitar (see above picture - that's him with the headband and shades, a
real cool lighthouse dude).

Dogger - is Bill's dog and often goes with him to the mainland
(below right). He hates music especially when played badly by Cromarty and Co.
Whenever he visits the mainland he always heads to Edward Stone's shop.

Finisterre- owns a croft on the mainland. Both him and
Cromarty tried to form a band in which Cromarty played the electric guitar and
Finisterre played an acoustic guitar.

Inspector Ronaldsway - He is in charge of inspecting the
lighthouses and drilling the men to make sure they are doing their job. He
pilots a boat called the Kipper and often turns up without warning. He is
particular about tidiness and report writing. He is partial to cups of tea and
loves home made jam tarts. He is not a nasty inspector but likes everything
ship shape and proper fashion.

Edward Stones - Owner of Edward Stones Emporium shop. He owns
and runs the village shop in the village of McGuillycuddy. He has many jobs
since it it is such a small village. He doubles as village policeman, water
board inspector, postman etc. He changes his roles changing the hat he is
wearing (middle picture below shows Edward Stone on his bike, the front of
which has a series of different hats). He has all the supplies that the
lighthouse and the villagers need. His shop has the only telephone link to the
mainland.

Mrs. Lundy - owns cottage on mainland. She is often seen in
the shop and interacting with the other characters. She is very generous
especially when Cromarty's metal detector found a long lost broach. She gave
him a load of food supplies to take back to the lighthouse.

Grandma Tiree - makes oat cakes for the boys on the light
house. These are delivered by Edward.

Young Gail - comes from the village and may be part of a farm
as she was seen in one episode chasing an escaped bull.

Fastnet- is the village fisherman often seen in front of
Stone's shop preparing and mending his fishing nets.